By: Sophia Oppenheim
A few months ago in my Introduction to Sociology class, my friend Maddie and I sat in the Elliot basement, stuck in the dreaded Ticketmaster queue. As we kept reloading the page, we crossed our fingers and hoped to purchase tickets for the All Things Go music festival. With great luck, our time in the queue paid off and we secured tickets for Sept. 29, the second and final day of the festival. The day we had been waiting for came soon enough. ATG celebrated its tenth anniversary Sept. 28-29 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. The festival included performances from artists like Bleachers, Laufey, Holly Humberstone, Maisie Peters, and other prominent artists. Now that I have officially survived a music festival in the DMV area, I feel qualified to share a few tips.
- If you care about your outfit, plan it wisely.
I love fashion, but I am completely indecisive when it comes to clothes. Because of this, choosing an outfit for a special event is never easy. When I go to concerts for a specific artist or group, I tend to look up inspiration on Pinterest for that artist. However, taking on a festival was different because there were various artists I planned on seeing. I originally planned to dress up for Chappell Roan. Unfortunately, Roan pulled out of the festival just two days before she was supposed to perform due to mental health reasons. As a result, I was left with no outfit in mind less than 48 hours before the festival. I ran around trying to get a different outfit together, adding undue stress to my festival experience. In the future, I would plan an outfit that doesn’t pertain to one singular artist because you never know what might happen. Regardless of who or what your outfit is themed after, I would also ensure it is comfortable to wear all day long. More likely than not, you will be walking, standing, and sitting in it for hours. Most importantly, finding a pair of comfortable shoes you are willing to get dirty is crucial. They will inevitably be covered in mud by the end of the day.
- You don’t have to cram through every artist’s discography beforehand (but at least listen to a couple of songs).
I am known to memorize as many songs as I possibly can before I attend a concert. However, memorizing several songs from the 15+ artists performing over the span of 10 hours was impossible. In an attempt to get the best experience, I decided to listen to a couple of songs by each artist. If I enjoyed an artist, I kept listening to more of their songs. If I didn’t, I just moved on. With so much music being played throughout the day, it is unnecessary and impossible to know every single tune an artist could play.
- Determine if showing up early is worth it.
We got to the festival 45 minutes after doors opened, around 11:15 a.m. This necessitated an early wake-up on a Sunday since Merriweather Post Pavilion is an hour away from GW’s campus. We were in for a long day, but was it worth it? Definitely. Being there early meant we were able to get a place on the lawn, where we were able to sit all day. We also had time to walk around and explore different tents and food stands before they became extremely busy. Throughout the day, we were able to grab food and use the bathroom while still saving our place on the lawn with a picnic blanket. We even moved closer and stood for certain performers, allowing us to get closer to the artists we were most excited to see.
4. Keep expectations low.
The reality of a festival is that it is not going to be perfect. The lines for food and the bathroom are ridiculous. There inevitably will be rude or annoying people who will push you into the crowd or step on your stuff. You are going to be tired and potentially hangry. And in my case, you may drop your chicken tenders on the ground, wasting $30. Know that things won’t always go your way, and you won’t be as disappointed. This is also true for the performers. My friend Maddie and I stood waiting for Conan Gray for 3 hours. We just wanted a good seat, but it didn’t seem to justify the amount my feet were throbbing. After the hour and 10-minute set, however, everything felt worth it. It was amazing, and we were so close to the stage I felt like Conan was looking into my eyes. To me, being in for more than you were expecting is the best aspect of attending concerts.
Overall, mentally prepare for the festival in any way you can. It’s going to be a fun event, and you want to make the most out of the day!